Introduction
Eggs are a staple in almost every kitchen, and for good reason. They’re easy to cook, versatile, and packed with protein – making them an excellent way to start your day or fuel up for your lunch. However, cooking eggs can be a little intimidating if you’re new to the kitchen. In this article, we’re going to show you the ins and outs of cooking eggs, from the basics to advanced techniques and creative recipes.
How to Cook Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginner Cooks
Let’s start with the basics. Cooking eggs is not as hard as it seems, as long as you choose the right cooking method for your skill level. Below we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for the three most popular egg styles: scrambled, fried, and boiled.
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are a classic breakfast dish, and they’re also one of the easiest to cook. Here’s how to do it:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl.
- Add a splash of milk or cream to the eggs and whisk together until combined.
- Melt a pat of butter in a non-stick skillet over low heat.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and use a spatula to stir gently until the eggs are set but still slightly runny.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Fried Eggs
Fried eggs are simple and delicious. Here’s how to fry an egg to perfection:
- Melt a pat of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Crack the egg into the skillet and let cook for 2-3 minutes until the white is set but the yolk is still runny.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Boiled Eggs
Boiled eggs are great for topping salads or making egg salad sandwiches. Here’s how to cook a boiled egg:
- Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from the water and run them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Peel and enjoy!
5 Egg-citing Ways to Cook Eggs for Breakfast, Brunch or Beyond
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to get creative! Here are five exciting ways to cook eggs:
Frittatas
Frittatas are essentially crustless quiches, and they’re a great way to use up leftover vegetables and meats. Here’s a basic recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Whisk together 6-8 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add your desired fillings (such as sautéed onions and peppers, cooked bacon or sausage, and grated cheese) to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Pour the egg mixture over the fillings and transfer to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish consisting of poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté diced onions until softened.
- Add minced garlic and spices (such as cumin, paprika, and chili powder) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add canned diced tomatoes to the skillet and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Using a spoon, create wells in the tomato mixture and crack an egg into each well.
- Cover the skillet and cook until the eggs are set to your liking.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese over the top and serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish that consists of fried eggs over a bed of beans and tortillas. Here’s how to make it:
- Warm up canned refried beans on the stove.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of oil and fry a corn tortilla until crispy.
- Remove the tortilla from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Fry an egg in the same skillet until the white is set but the yolk is still runny.
- Place the fried egg on top of the tortilla and spoon warmed refried beans over the top.
- Sprinkle with grated cheese, hot sauce, and chopped cilantro.
Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict is a classic brunch dish consisting of poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise sauce over an English muffin. Here’s how to do it:
- Toast English muffins and top each half with a slice of Canadian bacon.
- For the hollandaise sauce, whisk together 3 egg yolks, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a heat-proof bowl.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Whisk in 1/2 cup melted butter until combined.
- For the poached eggs, bring a pot of water to a simmer and add a tablespoon of vinegar.
- Crack an egg into a small bowl.
- Using a slotted spoon, create a whirlpool in the pot and gently pour the egg into the center.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until the white is set but the yolk is still runny.
- Place the poached egg on top of the Canadian bacon and drizzle with hollandaise sauce.
The Secret Techniques to Cook the Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs might seem simple, but there are a few tricks to getting them just right. Here’s how to make the most perfect, creamy scrambled eggs:
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and add the heavy cream.
- Whisk together until the egg yolks and whites are completely combined.
- Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over low heat.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and stir gently with a rubber spatula.
- Continue stirring until the eggs start to form curds.
- Turn the heat down and continue stirring until the eggs are fully cooked but still silky and slightly runny, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Sunny-Side Up, Over Easy or Poached: How to Cook Eggs for Every Preference
There are many different ways to cook eggs. Here are instructions for making sunny-side up, over easy, and poached eggs:
Sunny-Side Up
Sunny-side up eggs are easy to cook and delicious. Here’s how to make them:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Crack an egg into the skillet.
- Let the egg cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Over Easy
Over easy eggs are sunny-side up eggs that have been flipped and cooked for a few extra seconds on the other side. Here’s how to make them:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Crack an egg into the skillet.
- Let the egg cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 2-3 minutes.
- Using a spatula, flip the egg over and cook for another 10-20 seconds until the yolk is still runny but the white is fully cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Poached Eggs
Poached eggs are cooked by gently simmering them in water. Here’s how to make them:
- Fill a large pot with water and add a tablespoon of vinegar.
- Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.
- Crack an egg into a small bowl.
- Using a slotted spoon, create a whirlpool in the water and gently pour the egg into the center.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until the white is set but the yolk is still runny.
- Remove the egg from the water with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Cooking with Eggs: Creative Recipes to Try at Home for a Delicious Meal
Eggs are more than just breakfast food! They can be used in a variety of tasty and nutritious dishes. Here are a few recipes to try:
Mushroom and Spinach Omelet
An omelet is a perfect way to start your day. Here’s a delicious recipe:
- Whisk together 3 eggs and a splash of milk.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of butter.
- Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until they’re golden brown.
- Add a handful of spinach leaves and cook until they’re wilted.
- Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and use a spatula to lift the edges of the omelet and let the uncooked egg flow underneath.
- Once the top is set but the bottom is slightly runny, fold the omelet in half and slide onto a plate.
Asparagus and Ham Quiche
Quiches are perfect for brunch or even dinner! Here’s a delicious recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Whisk together 6 eggs, 1 cup of cream or milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Roll out a pre-made pie crust into a tart pan and prick the bottom with a fork.
- Sauté diced ham and trimmed asparagus in a skillet until the ham is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
- Spread the ham and asparagus over the bottom of the pie crust and pour the egg mixture over the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
Conclusion
Cooking eggs is easy and fun! By mastering a few basic techniques and trying out a few creative recipes, you can impress everyone at the breakfast table.